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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jean75 on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:17
After being on it for 5 years, I started reducing my Lamictal from 200mg to 150mg about a month ago. And a week ago I began experiencing this anxious feeling - I fight to stop from feeling easily overwhelmed, but the jittery stomach and mind racing I cannot help. And it stays with me for most of the day. Has anyone else experienced anything similar when slowly getting off Lamictal? I take it for partial seizures, but because my condition is so slight (I've been seizure-free for 18 years), my medication is being reduced.
Thanks!
Posted by banga on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:17
In reply to Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 19, 2005, at 1:18:59
I have the same question--how to wean off (altogether in my case) and what may be the withdrawal effects from Lamictal.....
Posted by theo on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:17
In reply to Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 19, 2005, at 1:18:59
I'm having a hard time with Lamictal. It makes me feel like anxious and almost like something terrible is going to happen.
I'm at 50mg (was at 150mg) and may ask my doc for some Xanax to ease the pain until I'm completely off of it.
Lamictal is a blessing for some people but it's the only med that's scared me with memory loss and lack of interest in everyday activities.
Posted by Sebastian on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:17
In reply to Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 19, 2005, at 1:18:59
That is a side-effect of withdraw. You have been on the lamictal for 5 years that is something you would deffinitly expect. It may take a while to go away, a long while i hate to say. I took zyprexa for 7 years and could not get off it for about 2 years because of withdraw. I now take a replacement. But I did have an easyer time with withdraw by cutting the pills. Try 175 mg for a while, even a week could help, go as slowly as you need. It maybe posible you won't be able to decrease right away, but practice makes perfect.
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by Sebastian on February 19, 2005, at 13:10:18
Will your doctor Rx more so you can take more time to withdraw? That sounds like what you need to do. Reducing any med by 50% is too much at one time. Call your doctor and see if this is okay. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by jean75 on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by theo on February 19, 2005, at 11:06:42
> I'm having a hard time with Lamictal. It makes me feel like anxious and almost like something terrible is going to happen.
>
> I'm at 50mg (was at 150mg) and may ask my doc for some Xanax to ease the pain until I'm completely off of it.
>
> Lamictal is a blessing for some people but it's the only med that's scared me with memory loss and lack of interest in everyday activities.____________________________________________
Thanks for your feedback. I've experienced similar things while I've been on Lamictal. There's been several instances of short-term memory loss, and it's a daily challenge to be active and stay movitivated - at age 29 this shouldn't be happening. I'll be so happy once I'm off of it completely.
Posted by jean75 on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by Sebastian on February 19, 2005, at 13:10:18
Great advice, thank you. The makers of Lamictal claim there are absolutely no withdrawal side effects, but I knew this couldn't be the case. Hopefully this anxious feeling will subside soon. I'm not familiar with anti-anxiety medication - does anyone recommend one that goes well with Lamictal?
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 19, 2005, at 23:45:50
Some people here on the Board have success just using Benadryl. I myself, having used benzos for many years, feel nothing with this med. I'm not a doctor or drug expert. I would still discuss this matter with your pdoc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by theo on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2005, at 17:28:04
Although, reducing by 50% per week is what is in Lamictal PI.
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 19, 2005, at 1:18:59
You would think that a 25% reduction in dosage wouldn't cause a problem with this drug. I will say this, though, you might be more succeptable to seizures during the period that you continue to experience withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps it is best to reduce the dosage by 10-15% at a time. Small amounts of Klonopin might be helpful.
Is there any family history of mood or anxiety disorders?
- Scott
Posted by Sebastian on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by Sebastian on February 19, 2005, at 13:10:18
Zyprexa is an excelent anti anxiety med. Buspar may work, it is a weaker one. I've never tried it though.
Posted by jean75 on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal » jean75, posted by SLS on February 20, 2005, at 9:11:24
> You would think that a 25% reduction in dosage wouldn't cause a problem with this drug. I will say this, though, you might be more succeptable to seizures during the period that you continue to experience withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps it is best to reduce the dosage by 10-15% at a time. Small amounts of Klonopin might be helpful.
>
> Is there any family history of mood or anxiety disorders?
>
>
> - Scott
_____________________________________
That's an excellent question, and something that's crossed my mind. My grandmother had a nervous breakdown in her late 20's due to her bi-polar disorder. I've always been extremely level headed and had an easy-going, positive personality, but I've been on medication for seizures since I was 3 years old - and ironically, seizure medication is also prescribed for bi-polar/mood disorders. And I'm tired of the sedated feeling the medication gives me. I come from a family of psychologists, all of which are certain that my personality has nothing to do with my seizure medication, but I won't be certain until the day I'm medication-free - or least on a smaller dose. I noticed this morning that the anxiousness has lessened a little bit, so hopefully that's a sign that my body is adapting to the lower dose. I'm also feeling a little spaced out at times, as if on a cold medication - I'm guessing this is another side-effect of withdrawal.
Posted by SLS on February 21, 2005, at 13:02:18
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by jean75 on February 20, 2005, at 12:32:22
> > Is there any family history of mood or anxiety disorders?
> That's an excellent question, and something that's crossed my mind. My grandmother had a nervous breakdown in her late 20's due to her bi-polar disorder.My concern is that the Lamictal had been masking a mood or anxiety disorder that is now showing itself for the first time as you remove the Lamictal. I doubt it, though. What you describe is probably better explained as a withdrawal syndrome. I remember experiencing much the same thing when I reduced the dosage of Lamictal too quickly.
> I noticed this morning that the anxiousness has lessened a little bit, so hopefully that's a sign that my body is adapting to the lower dose.
That sounds positive.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by banga on February 25, 2005, at 9:17:16
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by SLS on February 20, 2005, at 16:19:37
I have cut my dose in 1/2 with no problem so far (down to 100 from 200). I will take down from there more slowly....
But I tend to have fairly light withdawal problems from meds. I wonder what that says about me and mu body...
Posted by Anna5 on April 4, 2006, at 18:51:58
In reply to Re: Weaning off Lamictal, posted by banga on February 25, 2005, at 9:17:16
have been off Lamictal since Friday evening March 24th and Wellbutrin SR for two weeks. I have feeling tired, not depressed. Otherwise I am feeling better. It will be great to find out what I am really like after the medications are completly out of my system.
The worst medication I ever withdrawed off of was Paxil, the intense symptoms (static in the ear, sensitivity to light and sound)lasted a week and took me a year to fully recover from it. I was on that medication for four years. I started on psychatric medication Sept. '96. I have been through symptoms of overmedicated, 100lb weight gain (I did lose the weight-have the streitch marks as a reminder), dystonic drug reaction, hair lose, etc. I hate it when doctors thinks they know what is best for you. I have been through a lot in my 27yrs. Currently, working on my psychology degree, would like to become a metal health advocate. I believe alternate approaches should be used first before medications. I have dealt with trauma due to abuse as a child, and then ontop of that dealing with the psychatric system. If you would like to know how I am doing or what my opionions are please let me know and I will be happy to share them with you.
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